The Springboks have strengthened their position at the top of the World Rugby rankings after powering past the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore.
South Africa’s victory secured a 3-1 series triumph in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and gave Rassie Erasmus’ side another boost in the rankings.
The Springboks earned an additional 0.76 ranking points from their latest victory, taking their total to 95.09 points.
That leaves the world champions with a significant 3.94-point advantage over New Zealand, who remain second on 91.15.
Springboks continue to set the pace
The Baltimore victory was another statement from a South African side that has maintained its position at the summit of international rugby.
The Springboks scored six tries to four against the All Blacks, eventually pulling away in the second half after leading 17-14 at the interval.
More than 68,000 spectators watched the encounter at M&T Bank Stadium, setting a new attendance record for a rugby match in the United States.
For South Africa, the victory provided the perfect conclusion to a remarkable series.
After losing the opening Test, the Springboks responded with three consecutive victories to claim the series 3-1.
Updated World Rugby rankings
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 95.09 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 91.15 |
| 3 | Ireland | 88.08 |
| 4 | France | 87.43 |
| 5 | England | 85.68 |
| 6 | Scotland | 84.78 |
| 7 | Australia | 83.55 |
| 8 | Argentina | 82.24 |
| 9 | Fiji | 78.00 |
| 10 | Wales | 76.38 |
| 11 | Italy | 76.30 |
| 12 | Japan | 76.09 |
| 13 | Georgia | 73.94 |
| 14 | USA | 69.49 |
| 15 | Portugal | 69.39 |
| 16 | Chile | 66.94 |
| 17 | Spain | 66.83 |
| 18 | Uruguay | 65.75 |
| 19 | Tonga | 65.14 |
| 20 | Samoa | 64.73 |
Erasmus: ‘It’s for South Africa’
The Springboks’ continued dominance has not come without criticism, but Erasmus remains focused on what the team represents to supporters back home.
The coach acknowledged that the way South Africa operates can sometimes frustrate people around the world, while emphasising that the team’s ultimate motivation is representing the country.
The latest victory also highlighted just how narrow the margins remain between the Springboks and All Blacks.
Despite South Africa winning three matches in succession to claim the series, Erasmus stressed that the rivalry remains fiercely competitive.
Springboks remain the team to beat
With 95.09 ranking points, South Africa now has a healthy cushion at the top of the World Rugby standings.
The All Blacks remain the closest challengers, but the 43-28 victory in Baltimore means the Springboks head into their next challenges with both the series trophy and an even stronger grip on the No. 1 ranking.
For the back-to-back world champions, the message is clear: the Springboks remain the benchmark in international rugby.
